Hans Vanaken: “Stronger both physically and mentally”

Two more Hans Vanaken assists, setting up Denswil and Dennis, put Club underway to another win at Jan Breydel.

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"A big game again after the one at Dortmund. It came with perfect timing, allowing us to get back to our winning ways after a period of bad results, and starting mounting the pressure on the others. It was a different playing system. We brought some offensive powers in the first 45, not allowing Standard any chance. We applied immediate pressure, keeping in mind that we both had midweek games. We showed we were stronger than our opponents both physically and mentally. In the second half, our professional approach helped us make sure not to concede in the first fifteen minutes. That heading opportunity was their best chance, but Ethan saved brilliantly. We had a lot of work in defense on Wednesday; we wanted to do the same today, but spice it up with attacking play. We kept Standard in a headlock, they were unable to play in their usual position and kept them from being dangerous. We now need to show that against Beveren on Friday too."

Hans Vanaken

The games keep on coming at great speed up until the Winter's break. "Quite a hefty period awaits, that's right. Five more games to go before the end of the year, so we need to get that physical and mental rest wherever we can and keep going full steam ahead until the New year. We're in a good place, and we need to keep building upon that. It was an important day in the table, so I'm happy we won. We did a fine job, inching closer to the top. We have also made it to Spring in Europe, and we still have a game in hand at home against Atlético Madrid. We want to get a fine result then too, and keep playing the way we are playing in the Champions League. The pressure to get that third spot is no longer on."

A fine game for Vanaken against Standard. "I'm happy to be producing assists. The first was a corner kick, that can always go in. I saw Dennis go for goal with that second assist. I had the feeling that Luyindama would be opening his legs, and played the ball through. Dennis then fell out again, but Ngonge came on fine. That lad just need to do his thing in a relaxed mind, just like he does with the U21s. I try to help him out defensively, but he did well filling the shoes of Dennis." (KN)